Common Questions

How can counseling help me?
 
A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling.  Licensed Addiction and Mental Health Counselors can provide an individualized treatment plan, assist with problem-solving skills and enhance coping strategies in dealing with life's challenges. Counselors can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from counseling depends on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from counseling include:
  

  • Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
  • Developing skills for improving your relationships
  • Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek counseling
  • Learning new ways to cope with addiction issues
  • Managing anger, grief, and other emotional pressures
  • Improving communications and listening skills
  • Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
  • Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
  • Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

Do I really need counseling? 
  
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced, there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it. In fact, counseling is for people who have enough self-awareness to realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired. You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and making a commitment to change the situation by seeking counseling. Counseling provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, relapse, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome whatever challenges you face. 

Why do people go to counseling and how do I know if it is right for me?

People have many different motivations for coming to counseling.  Some may be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well and have developed unhealthy coping skills.  Some people need assistance managing addictions, relationship problems, spiritual conflicts and creative blocks.  Counseling can help provide some much needed encouragement and help with skills to get them through these periods.  Others may be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or want to be more effective with their goals in life.  In short, people seeking counseling are ready to meet the challenges in their lives and ready to make changes in their lives. 
 
  

What is counseling like?
 
Because each person is unique and has different goals, counseling sessions will vary depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue, and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous counseling session.  Depending on your specific needs and circumstances, a Chemical Dependency Evaluation may be scheduled, Early Education/Intervention, or a different level of treatment may be required.  If the legal system is involved, it may require working within the correctional system and courts.
 
It is important to understand that you will get more results from counseling if you actively participate in the process.  The ultimate purpose of counseling is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work you do in counseling sessions, your counselor may suggest some things you can do outside of the sessions to support your process - such as  journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking counseling are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.   
 
 
 
Do you take insurance, and how does that work?
 
To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is call them.  Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.  Some helpful questions you can ask them:
 

  • What are my mental health benefits?
  • What is the coverage amount per counseling session?
  • How many counseling sessions does my plan cover?
  • How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
  • Is approval required from my primary care physician? 

 
Does what we talk about in counseling remain confidential?
 
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and Licensed Addiction Counselor. Successful counseling requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not discussed anywhere but the counselor's office.   Every counselor should provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want your counselor to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney), but by law your counselor cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
 
However, state law and professional ethics require counselors to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
 
* Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral sources.
* If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in danger of harming him/herself or has threated to harm another person.

Contact Me Today

Monday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Tuesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-7:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed